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AZURITE

THE MINERAL AZURITE

Azurite is a very popular mineral because of its unparalleled color, a deep blue called "azure", hence its name. Azure is derived from the arabic word for blue. The color is due to the presence of copper (a strong coloring agent), and the way the copper chemically combines with the carbonate groups (CO3) and hydroxyls (OH). Azurite has been used as a dye for paints and fabrics for eons. Unfortunately, at times its color is too deep and larger crystals can appear black. Small crystals and crusts show the lighter azure color well. Azurite is often associated with its colorful close cousin, malachite

Green malachite is closely associated with azurite in many ways. Not only do they frequently occur together (pictured above), they also have very similar formulae. Malachite can also replace azurite, making a pseudomorph, or an exact copy of an azurite crystal (only now instead of being blue, it would be green). Compare their formulas:

Azurite’s formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2

Malachite’s formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2

The charges on the copper ions are the same for both minerals at positive two (each hydroxide has a charge of negative one and each carbonate has a charge of negative two). But what causes the color change from azurite to malachite if the charge on the copper remains the same? Consider the formulas if they are rewritten as so:

Azurite’s formula: Cu(OH)2-2(CuCO3)

Malachite’s formula: Cu(OH)2-CuCO3

Notice the different amounts of CuCO3 in the two formulas. The azurite seems to have an extra CuCO3, but the transformation could be explained by an addition of an extra Cu(OH)2 to azurite’s formula to make two malachites as in the following equation:

Cu(OH)2-2(CuCO3)

+ Cu(OH)2 —->

2{Cu(OH)2-CuCO3}

{AZURITE}

2{MALACHITE}

Since the Cu(OH)2 is more oxidized than the CuCO3, the malachite is therefore more oxidized than azurite. This means that malachite represents a later stage of oxidation and the increased oxidation is what causes the color change. The actual formula for the conversion is a bit more involved and includes the addition of a water molecule to two azurite molecules and the release of a carbon dioxide molecule; leaving behind three malachite molecules. The equation is represented as follows:

2{Cu(OH)2-2(CuCO3)}

+ H2O ———>

3{Cu(OH)2-CuCO3}

+ CO2

2{AZURITE}

{WATER}

3{MALACHITE}

{CARBON DIOXIDE}

The oxidation is persistent and actually ongoing, although very slow. Azurite paints made centuries ago have undergone the transformation much to the imagined horror of artists whose paintings of beautiful blue skies now have a most unusual green hue! Thankfully for mineralogists and collectors, this transformation is one of the most asthetically pleasing in the mineral kingdom. Although the malachite may soften the sharpness of the azurite crystal, it generally leaves the specimen intact and a whole range of transformations from pure azurite to pure malachite can be obtained. There really is no comparison to any other mineral to mineral transformation in terms of overall beauty.

Azurite is used in jewelry and for dyes as mentioned above. It is also an unimportant ore of copper, although its significance has been more impressive in the past. It is still considered a minor ore of copper; mostly because it is found associated with other more valuable copper ores. Fine crystal clusters, nodular specimens, and interesting and beautiful combinations with malachite are important pieces in anyone’s mineral collection. The magnificent color of azurite is worth mentioning again as it truly is a one-of-a-kind in the mineral world. Azurite is one of those classic minerals.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is azure, deep blue or pale blue if found in small crystals or crusts.

Luster is vitreous to dull depending on habit.

Transparency: Transparent if in thin crystals, otherwise translucent to opaque.